Embracing diversity and inclusion to drive effective change

Jul 30, 2020/in Diversity & Inclusion, Featured Articles /by Symphony Talent

northwell health diversity and inclusion

Embracing diversity and inclusion to drive effective change

When Andrea De Loney began her career at Northwell Health, she started in a role that would help her gain insight into the variety of roles and opportunities across the organization. Starting as a talent acquisition specialist in 2015, she met countless individuals in different specialties throughout the system and learned about the many ways people were making a difference in the communities we serve.

Andrea transitioned to the HR team at LIJ Forest Hills Hospital where she worked as the strategic alliance and development coordinator. There she managed over 20 Collaborative Care Councils and served as an engagement survey ambassador to help promote employee engagement within the hospital. Andrea also led the hospital’s communication strategy workgroup as they implemented new “Rounding Town Halls” which increased attendance and visibility of executive leadership.

It was her passion for ensuring that the voices of our team members were heard that led Andrea to her next role as a project manager with the Center for Equity of Care in 2018. As project manager, Andrea had a primary focus of relaunching Northwell’s Business Employee Resource Group (BERG) Program. BERGs, and Employee Networks are an essential part of our values, as they were established to enhance engagement, innovation, talent development, and promote an inclusive culture for our workforce and patients alike. Since the program’s relaunch in October 2018, Andrea and her team successfully increased membership by over 85 percent.

“With over 70,000 team members, it is quite easy to feel overwhelmed when seeking opportunities for personal and professional development at Northwell,” says Andrea. “Our BERGs and Employee Networks are designed to bring these experiences to the members, keeping cultural humility and the unique experiences of our workforce in mind.”

With the successful relaunch of the BERGs, Andrea’s responsibilities have expanded to include co-leading various workforce diversity and inclusion projects in partnership with Human Resources, and managing Northwell’s DiversityInc Award application process. Always striving to enhance her skills, she also became a certified Cook Ross Unconscious Bias trainer for the health system, and co-leads the Social Belonging and Inclusion subgroup that strives to even further celebrate Northwell’s Truly Together ideology.

Andrea’s hand in crafting internal and external initiatives that promote diversity and inclusion has helped build a feeling of belonging throughout the organization. She says, “Celebrating diversity and providing spaces for team members’ voices to be heard is so essential because it creates an authentic culture of belonging within any organization and community. How do we maximize the richness of our workforce? Through listening, and being open and receptive, and celebrating each and every contributor.”

With many accomplishments, Andrea continues to find more ways to support the advancement and development of our team members at Northwell. “One of the most powerful things that Northwell has done is acknowledge racism as a public health issue,” says Andrea. “When the reports of the recent deaths due to police brutality and misconduct hit the news, so many of us could not remain silent. We chose vulnerability and shared the raw emotions that exist within the Black community; senior leadership received that and knew, in that moment, something had to be done.”

In response, President and CEO Michael J. Dowling was joined by members of our senior leadership team for a live, organization-wide town hall and Q&A that focused on racial injustice and what we can do individually and as an organization to help fight racism and discrimination“My hope is that all of these efforts reach 100% of our workforce, and that we all play an active role in driving policy changes that will move our communities and society forward.”

Being involved in fighting for systematic change, Andrea is able to help foster an environment that is not only diverse and respectful but encourages its members to bring their best selves to work every day. Andrea says, “What makes me proud to work here is seeing how action-oriented and results-driven we are as an organization, specifically around topics that are generally deemed ‘uncomfortable.’” She continues, “In my almost five and a half years here, I can truly say that I’ve not only been invited to the table, but also given opportunities for my voice to be heard.”

Take a moment with us to celebrate this champion and the incredible, meaningful work she has done and continues to do to elevate Northwell on a local and national level. The example that she sets is appreciated and with confidence, we can say her career is truly well cared for at Northwell Health.

To join Andrea and other healthcare professionals making a difference in New York State’s largest private employer and healthcare provider, view our opportunities here.

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A team’s commitment to compassion strengthened through adversity

Jul 29, 2020/in Featured Articles, Nursing /by Symphony Talent

A team’s commitment to compassion strengthened through adversity

As COVID-19 restricted hospital visitations across the world, healthcare professionals at Northwell Health worked tirelessly to ensure patients knew they were never alone. With compassion as their motivation, our Northwell heroes on the frontlines quickly developed new ways to help keep patients connected with their families.

Nicole Ciccione, a nurse manager in the Pediatric Emergency Department at Cohen’s Children Medical Center, was moved by one of her colleague’s emails about the work being done at Long Island Jewish Medical Center. Inspired to act, Nicole and her team brainstormed different ways that they could help their fellow Northwell team members while improving the patient experience. “I reached out to my surrounding community to ask for toiletries to help our patients look, feel and smell fresh, and for different devices to assist with making virtual connections,” she says. The overwhelming response of donations was a refreshing reminder to her of the impact Northwell has made on the community it serves. With the donation of toiletries, iPads and other electronic devices, team members volunteered to not only connect patients with their families, but to spend time connecting with the patients themselves.

“There have been difficult times, sitting with a patient and their family on FaceTime, while the patient takes their last breath, to happier moments of connecting a patient with their family soon after extubation. For team members, it has been very humbling and rewarding to be able to help out not only patients, but also our LIJ colleagues. It’s connected our teams,” Nicole says, “I am proud to be the nurse manager of an extraordinary team that is willing and ready to help when called on.”

Debra Clifford, director of patient care services at Plainview Hospital, worked remotely during COVID where she found new ways to support her nursing staff and connect with patient families. She says, “The COVID-19 pandemic offered me the opportunity to get back at the bedside and help patients and their families in a different way than my current role. Working from home, I started to make calls to families to alleviate the frontline staff of the overwhelming calls that they were receiving from families. I gave daily updates, connected them with other disciplines in an attempt to stay connected to their loved one in light of a unique situation that echoed ‘no visitors.’” It was these moments on the phone delivering comfort to patients’ families that helped her feel connected even as she herself was away from the hospital. “My inspiration for working remotely soon came from the families that I had the pleasure of talking to each day.”

Marcy Hohorst, a family liaison at Plainview Hospital, also found new ways to deliver care as her Perioperative Unit was temporarily converted into an Intensive Care Unit. Having had experience working as a registered nurse in past mission trips, Marcy was uniquely prepared to deliver comfort and compassion as she helped patients connect to their families virtually. “It was and always will be my honor to have been able to connect families with their loved ones during their brightest moments or their darkest hours. This position was simultaneously meaningful, rewarding and heartbreaking. Someday, when COVID-19 is a distant memory, I will be proud to say, ‘I was the nurse with the iPad.’”

A commitment to health never stops and these individuals, as well as other team members across our organization, have demonstrated that nothing can stop them from providing the care patients and their families need and deserve.

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Meet the teams of Northwell’s 2020 Chefs Challenge

Jul 22, 2020/in Culinary and Hospitality /by Symphony Talent

Meet the teams of Northwell’s 2020 Chefs Challenge

You might not typically associate healthcare with culinary careers, but Northwell Health’s culinary teams are dedicated to providing delicious and nutritious food to help heal our patients. They also are no strangers to some friendly competition within our organization and will be competing again in Northwell’s Chefs Challenge.

Teams from five Northwell hospitals are competing for a chance to be named the winner of the 2020 Chefs Challenge on July 30. Tasked with cooking a healthy and nutritious meal, each team will have 90 minutes to prepare a one-of-a-kind meal using wild sea bass as an appetizer, Long Island duck as an entrée, and a strawberry dessert. Each team includes three chefs/cooks and one certified dietitian, working together to prepare five dishes of each course for the guest judges. Meet the teams competing at the 2020 Chefs Challenge below!

Their Menu:

Appetizer: Pan Seared Wild Sea Bass w/ a Citrus Avocado Mignonette
Main Entrée: Crispy Confit Duck Ramen in a Pho Broth
Dessert: Strawberry Shortcake, Orange Scented Cake w/ Lemon Curd and Lemon Basil Marscarpone

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

In 2019, we received the 2019 Press Ganey “Quality of Food” award and sustained being number one in the system through hard work and dedication. We’ve also created a new patient menu to be executed later this year.

What makes Huntington Hospital the team to beat in the 2020 Chefs Challenge?

At Huntington, we strive to give our patients the best product and culinary experience possible. We are one single unit, a team with the same common goal of delivering our craft to our patients. We are proud of the product we serve and continue to push ourselves to the next level. This year’s competition will show our confidence, talent and dedication and to our patients, but is only a taste of the Huntington team’s capabilities.

Their Menu:

Appetizer: Herb Roasted Wild Stripped Atlantic Sea Bass, Salad of Hearts of Palm and Asparagus, Sweet Carrot Puree
Maine Entrée: Braised Long Island Duck Leg and Mushroom Raviolis, English Pea Puree, Radish Lamels, Beechwood Mushrooms, Pea Tendrils, Parmesan Reggiano
Dessert: Greek Yogurt and Clover Honey Blanc Manger, Red Wine Stewed Strawberries, Curly Tuile.

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

The most exciting thing that we have done this year is change the patient menu with seasonal offerings. Seasonal menus for our patients will not only introduce new choices for our guests but will offer fresh seasonal and healthier choices.

What makes Northern Westchester Hospital the team to beat in the 2020 Chefs Challenge?

We feel that our presentation is a creative way to utilize the ingredients that we had to incorporate into each category.

Their Menu:

Appetizer: Wild seabass over a carrot Ginger Puree and Yuzu Glaze
Main Entrée: Duck Kaiseki ( Duck Sashimi, Duck Nigiri and Duck Udon )
Dessert: Strawberry Mochi

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

The launch of our Marra Forni Pizza kitchen.

Why is your team convinced they’ll win this year?

We love what we do. We have so much passion for cooking and being creative. We are always finding ways to think outside the box and present a dish using traditional culinary techniques with modern new trends.

Their Menu:

Appetizer: Wild Atlantic Stripped Sea Bass Ceviche, Watermelon Radish, Blood Orange, Scallion, Guajillo Pepper Emulsion
Main Entrée: Roasted Long Island Duck Breast, Farro, Spring Vegetables, English Pea Puree, Pickled Granny Smith Apples
Dessert: Vanilla Panna Cotta, Balsamic Macerated Strawberries, Crystalized Mint, Lemon

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

The most exciting thing is the changing of the menus according to season. This has never been seen before in a hospital. We have also enhanced our cafeteria menu so our fellow colleagues and visiting guests get to experience exciting offerings in the cafeteria to purchase.

What makes Phelps Hospital the team to beat in the 2020 Chefs Challenge?

Our presentations are well thought out and each plate has a balance. People tend to eat with their eyes first and these dishes are inviting and fresh and represent what we want to see in all hospitals.

Their Menu:

Appetizer: Spiced Pan Seared Sea Bass over Lentil & Cauliflower Salad with Lemon-Truffle Vinaigrette
Main Entrée: Five Spice Duck Breast with Gingered Sweet Potato Puree, Napa Cabbage, Grilled Pineapple
Dessert: Strawberries n’ Cream Trifle with Aged Balsamic

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

Our culinary team was very excited this year to roll out our new Spring/Summer menu on June 29. We tried to take advantage of seasonal vegetables, while preparing them in different and unique ways for our patients. Using the season’s bounty to your advantage can allow you to create wonderful classics such as our caprese salad with local heirloom, vine ripened tomatoes, as well as fresh asparagus for our new grilled asparagus-beet salad. Hospital patients usually could never tell what was going on outside their room’s window, so with our seasonal menu we tried to bring a little taste of the summer season inside and onto their plates.

What makes Southside Hospital the team to beat in the 2020 Chefs Challenge?

We are returning with our core team from last year so that gives us an advantage for having experience within the competition. We also have been practicing very diligently and have become tighter as a unit because of it. All of the teams competing are strong candidates to win, but we think we have the right mix of talent, fortitude, energy and desire to bring home the win to Southside Hospital this year.

Check back in early August to see the results!

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CNO Corner – A conversation with Margaret Duffy

Jul 15, 2020/in Nursing /by Symphony Talent

CNO Corner – A conversation with Margaret Duffy

When Margaret Duffy, PhD, RN, NEA-BC, started her Northwell Health career, it was as the senior administrative director for Nursing Education of Professional Development and Research at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). It was there where her skills and responsibilities grew as she also served as senior leadership for obstetrics and perinatal services.

In 2019, she was selected as the Chief Nursing Officer and Associate Executive Director of Patient Care Services at Cohen Children’s Medical Center (CCMC). Margaret leads her team with the same compassion that they deliver to Northwell’s smallest patients at CCMC.

Read more in this CNO Corner interview with Margaret.

What makes working as a nurse in a pediatric hospital unique?

The nursing team at Cohen’s has the opportunity to practice in a setting that is dedicated to solely meeting the needs of children and their families. Outstanding care is delivered with compassion and innovation. The entire interdisciplinary team is focused on the child and their loved ones while providing care in a technologically advanced environment.

How have the CCMC nurses delivered exceptional and compassionate care during the COVID-19 outbreak?

I am so proud of the dedication and professionalism exhibited by the CCMC nurses throughout this ongoing pandemic. In response to the pandemic, several units within Cohen’s were converted to the care of adult patients. While caring for our own pediatric COVID population, many of our nurses supported their LIJ Medical Center (LIJMC) colleagues in the care of adult patients either here at Cohen’s or by taking assignments at LIJMC, LIJ Valley Stream Hospital and LIJ Forest Hills Hospital. In fact, some nurses volunteered to be completely redeployed at the height of the surge, working outside of their comfort zone and selflessly meeting the need for nursing care that they observed firsthand in these adult critical care units.

What exciting nursing initiatives are planned for 2020/2021 at CCMC?

Since 2016, CCMC has been a Magnet recognized facility and we are currently on our journey to redesignation. We are proud to share that our written document scored in the excellence category and we are going straight to a “virtual” site visit! We hope to be celebrating our Magnet redesignation by the end of the year.

How will the opening of the pediatric operating rooms impact the hospital and future career opportunities for CCMC nurses?

In early 2021, CCMC will be entering a new era with the opening of eight brand new operating rooms and a 27 bay pre-op and post-op combined recovery unit. As a Level 1 pediatric trauma center verified by the American College of Surgeons and ranking nine out of 10 specialties nationally by U.S. News & World Report, this expansion will give Cohen’s the opportunity to focus on the perioperative needs of children within the footprint of the children’s hospital. With this expansion, we have career opportunities in all areas of perioperative services for nurses interested in joining our pediatric surgical team. Operating Room fellowships are planned throughout the year for those interested candidates without perioperative experience.

How does CCMC support team growth and development?

Here at Cohen’s we are committed to creating an environment where our nurses can thrive professionally. Our master’s-prepared pediatric/neonatal educators are dedicated to providing frontline nurses with the education they need to excel in their roles. Professional development is encouraged and supported through programs that include a Clinical Ladder program, which recognizes nurses for professional growth, on-site academic progression programs, certification preparation, a nurse residency program for new graduate nurses, and nursing mentorships.

What makes Northwell a great place to work?

For me that’s simple – it’s the people! Northwell excels at identifying the best and the brightest to join our teams. The strength of Northwell as a health system was never more apparent than during the COVID-19 pandemic. The depth and breadth of the support for the healthcare team at every level was awe inspiring. On my daily rounds, many team members routinely expressed gratitude for having what they needed during this very challenging time. It was no surprise that Northwell was named as one of Fortune’s “100 Best Companies to Work For.”

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Meet Truly Compassionate Nurse Practitioner, Benzy Thomas

Jul 13, 2020/in Advance Clinical Providers /by Symphony Talent

Meet Truly Compassionate Nurse Practitioner, Benzy Thomas

This blog is part of a series highlighting Northwell Health’s Advanced Clinical Providers (ACP). Each Northwell Health employee was nominated by their leadership as an individual who exemplifies a Northwell Health value.

When Benzy Thomas joined the Northwell Health team at Long Island Jewish Valley Stream, she had one goal in mind: to make an impact on the lives of her patients and the community as a whole. That was 2011. Now, nine years later, she finds herself making even more of an impact in ways she couldn’t even have imagined.

Today, Benzy functions as a DNP-prepared nurse practitioner leader, designing patient care experiences that impact outcomes and empowering dedicated team members who once stood in her shoes. She says, “I am able to bring a blend of clinical, leadership and organizational skills to the table that puts me in a unique position.”

For Benzy, working as a nurse practitioner at Northwell Health is full of inspiring moments, and being a part of her patient’s recovery is one of her greatest joys. “There is no better reward—that makes my day and that is absolutely why I do it, touching one life at a time,” she notes. But where there is joy, there are also often moments that are challenging.

When COVID-19 threatened the lives of so many, healthcare professionals were looked upon as the heroes that could help turn it around. Amongst those on the frontline was Benzy. She states, “I was directly involved in managing the COVID-19 cases. I will remember everything, but I don’t want to relive it.” And while these times were extremely difficult for Benzy and her team, with her positive outlook, she found a silver lining in it all. While caring for each of her patients and some through their near-death experiences, she recalls thinking to herself, “Family matters, my profession matters, life matters, truth matters.”

Having gained confidence in herself through a number of personal hobbies aside from her professional training, like traveling and acting, the stage was set for Benzy to succeed in healthcare. She adds, “I honestly love caring for people and making a difference in their lives.” That couldn’t be more apparent, especially in the way her fellow nurses and ACPs respond to her wealth of experience and knowledge. She says, “When I interact with nurses they appreciate the journey that I took to get where I am today. I strive to make every moment a teaching moment with the nurses, and at the same time inspire them to further their education so that they can be a vital component of future American health care services.”

At Northwell Health, there are many Nurse Practitioners like Benzy who are always in search of innovative ways to deliver the best care possible and care for the communities we serve. Benzy understands the value of collaboration and the power it holds in creating a transformative experience for Northwell Health’s patients and the healthcare community alike. She champions, “We are made for creating a better tomorrow than today, together as a team. Together we can achieve the impossible.”

Thank you, Benzy. Through your commitment, you are a perfect example of what it means to be a Truly Compassionate, inspired, and a driven ACP at Northwell Health.

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Growing a career as a leader at Northwell Health

Jul 09, 2020/in Administrative Support /by Symphony Talent

Growing a career as a leader at Northwell Health

For Nirva Matteis the key to success at Northwell Health has always been an eagerness to learn and grow. During her 10-year career here, Nirva has worked in multiple jobs and locations throughout the organization and has gained experience that has led her to become the senior administrative manager for the Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery and Communicative Disorders at the Hearing and Speech Center.

As senior administrative manager, Nirva is responsible for the daily administrative operations of a multi- physician practice along with managing all non-clinical personnel and supporting revenue cycle, quality and service excellence initiatives. Excelling today as a leader, Nirva started her Northwell career as a food service worker at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH) while obtaining her undergraduate education.

Growing at Northwell Health

From the beginning, Nirva has utilized a variety of different opportunities that Northwell provides to support her professional development. Classes at Northwell’s The Center for Learning and Innovation (CLI) were an endless resource for her to learn new skills and participated in their Applied Leadership Effectiveness and Development Program which is a one-year program that is designed to develop skills and knowledge among current and emerging leaders. In addition, she also benefitted from Northwell’s tuition reimbursement program and earned her master’s degree.

But one of the biggest assets to helping her grow at Northwell has always been her mentors. “I have grown by leaps and bounds both professionally and personally as a direct result of my mentors ,” says Nirva. “Northwell does a fantastic job with encouraging team members to seek bigger and better opportunities within the organization. For that, I am eternally grateful.” From working on the Food & Nutrition team at NSUH to becoming a supervisor within the System Call Center, Nirva receives advice from her mentors that helped her flourish.

It was through her mentors and experience at the System Call Center that Nirva found out about the opportunity to work on the Otolaryngology team after falling in love with the way their work was improving lives. “Fielding thousands of calls for head and neck surgery and cochlear implant patients allowed me to gain insight on the challenges people face when dealing with life-changing diagnoses,” says Nirva. “My ability to empathize to create a memorable experience as a result catapulted.”

In addition, Northwell’s commitment to health equity and access to care for all members of the communities we serve is something Nirva feels strongly about. She feels she can make an impact in her current role in a patient-facing setting.

Nurturing the talent of tomorrow

As Nirva continues to grow her own career, she also has the unique experience of being able to help others follow in her footsteps. As an active member of the BRIDGES Business Employee Resource Group (BERG), which represents the cultural diversity across the organization, Nirva has enjoyed being able to expand her network and make long-lasting connections. “The BRIDGES BERG is a clear indicator that Northwell has its finger on the pulse of its employee’s aspirational needs,” says Nirva. Within the BERG, she’s been able to connect beyond her work location, creating a resource that spans the entire health system and fosters cross-functional collaboration.

And it’s these connections that Nirva believes are what makes working here so special. “Northwell is exceptionally skilled at identifying and nurturing talent. Our senior leadership mentors team members in a way that creates a pipeline of high-caliber, healthcare champions, ready to take on the challenges of an ever-changing industry. I am proud to be a part of the team responsible for revolutionizing healthcare as we know it. To play a small part in Northwell’s success is an honor.”

Are you Made for a career like Nirva’s? Join Northwell Health.

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An Appointment With: Ryon Andersen, AED, Finance, North Shore University Hospital

Jul 06, 2020/in Business /by Symphony Talent

An Appointment With: Ryon Andersen, AED, Finance, North Shore University Hospital

Over the course of his career at Northwell Health, Ryon Andersen has worked in a variety of positions, from his start as a physical therapy aide to his current role as associate executive director at North Shore University Hospital (NSUH). His unique path from clinical to non-clinical professional equipped Ryon with the skills he needed to help him positively impact the financial and clinical operations of the hospital as an AED. Ryon’s career is also proof that there is not one straight career path to working in finance and operations within the healthcare industry.

Learn more about Ryon’s career path and how Northwell’s helping other professionals pursue non-clinical careers at Northwell in this month’s Appointment With.

What inspired you to move from pursuing a clinical career to a non-clinical career within healthcare?

I’ve always had an interest in community and public service which was reinforced when I joined my local fire department. While volunteering as a firefighter and EMT, I had the opportunity to assist Glen Cove Hospital with a disaster drill that was being run by their emergency department. This provided me with a small observation window into how a hospital operates. At the time my only knowledge was based on prehospital ambulance care. Further intrigued by the dynamics of providing care in a hospital setting, I decided to pursue a job as a physical therapy aide in the department of physical medicine and rehabilitation at Glen Cove. I truly enjoyed working alongside the clinical teams and helping patients learn to ambulate after injury or surgery. As time progressed and college commitments increased, I transferred to work as a unit support associate for the critical care and telemetry units. This opportunity gave me good insight into hospital flow, nursing unit dynamics, and the admission/registration process. This transition was especially important because it was a clear indication of how NorthShoreLIJ (at the time) supported development. My managers worked with my schedule so I could attend classes while maintaining employment. Upon finishing my degree, I decided to apply the skills I learned from my science classes to a new role at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research. Working in the department of experimental immunology as a research assistant, I was responsible for laboratory benchwork and quantitative data analysis.

These three experiences allowed me to gain unique skills and insights while learning about the culture of the organization, they strengthened my desire to continue to grow within the system. Over the course of this circuitous pathway, I met many mentors who pushed me explore all facets of the system and to not solely focus on clinical opportunities. Because we are a healthcare organization, I believe early careerists generally assume the only career pathways are clinical, but that’s not true. Being exposed to the broader landscape of opportunities led me to pursue a role as a project coordinator in hospital administration at NSUH. This allowed me to combine my clinical operations experience and my analytical skills within a hospital. Settled into my new position over the last 9 nine years at NSUH, I’ve grown into the role I am currently in as Associate Executive Director.

What is it like to work in finance and operations within a large tertiary hospital? What role does an administrator in finance/ops play?

Working in financial operations in any facility is quite dynamic and different every day. Hospitals are a 24/7 operation, and the NSUH campus is a bustling city. Whether it’s developing strategic business plans and investment opportunities, revamping processes to increase efficiency, creating a culture of teamwork, or constructing a new building, the push and pull of competing priorities makes the day go quickly. Specifically, a business operations administrator should create strong partnerships with clinical leaders and help support them and enhance decision making. They should utilize their business/analytical skills to help set and inform strategy. That said, the number one job of all hospital administrators should always be patient safety, to provide as safe an environment for patients and providers as possible.

Can you talk a little bit about the creation of the HMP and MAP programs and why is it important to mentor young professionals?

The Healthcare Management Program (HMP) and the Management Associate Program (MAP) were created to expand the talent onramps into healthcare business operations. These programs give us the opportunity to amplify the boarder healthcare career opportunities message and further compete for top talent. Central to every organization, regardless of size or industry, is its dependence on attracting and training a capable workforce. People are at the heart of every company and the quality and engagement of these individuals dramatically impact the overall success of an organization. The programs are structured to give associates a holistic understanding of the business as well as the overall mission of Northwell Health.

Through project work, they have a chance to explore finance, operations, clinical partnerships, quality management, human resources, and patient experience. Additionally, the programs naturally foster great mentorship opportunities. Mentorship is a core component of MAP. It is one of the most important attributes of a successful leader, cultivating talent and growing others is essential for both the mentor and mentee.

What is one piece of advice for someone looking to get into finance and ops in healthcare?

There is no one point of entry into the field, healthcare finance and operations takes on many forms. Whether you are working in revenue cycle and corporate finance or procurement and facilities management, you’re on the playing field. Every career experience you have and opportunity you gain will shape who you become as a leader. Continue to value the skills developed and lessons learned until you ultimately attain your career goals.

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Vicki is still helping patients and learning new skills after three decades in nursing at Northwell

Jul 01, 2020/in Nursing /by Symphony Talent

Vicki is still helping patients and learning new skills after three decades in nursing at Northwell

During COVID-19 there were many changes at each hospital to accommodate the increasing needs for patients. Many healthcare workers also went above and beyond to treat patients by leveraging their skills in different ways.

Vicki Weyhreter, a Northwell nurse for 27 years, and her team members at Huntington Hospital began to see changes on their PACU floor. Typically, the PACU floor is where the patients go to recover temporarily from anesthesia after surgery. With the pandemic and temporary suspension of many surgeries, the PACU floor was transformed into a COVID critical care unit and Vicki and her team members were there to help in new ways.

Embracing new opportunities for patient care

As a seasoned healthcare professional, Vicki has impacted many lives during her career at Northwell and began her career as a Registered Nurse at Huntington Hospital in 1993. Throughout her career, she spent 13 years in the Intensive Care unit, eight years in the Recovery unit, and recently spent time in the Interventional Radiology unit. She has been fortunate to have many opportunities during her career to learn new skills and develop professionally. Vicki looked at her newest assignment during COVID as another opportunity to grow and help care for the patients in the community.

This assignment could not be accomplished alone—it required a team effort. Vicki and other PACU nurses were joined by anesthesia and trauma surgeons and physician assistants. Everyone worked collaboratively to optimize their skills, learn new tactics, and go above and beyond for their patients. Their strength came from the compassion they felt for their patients, which is what kept them going during this difficult time.

Vicki described seeing their patients giving a thumbs up or sitting in a chair as “the best feeling of our day.” When a patient is discharged from their unit, the team comes together to cheer and clap as they transition out of critical care.

Although the PACU unit will never be the same to most of the team members at Huntington Hospital, saving lives and embracing teamwork to provide the greatest care for the patient remains the same.

Vicki and her team members are truly Made for This, exemplifying the importance of their role in helping others fight the virus, and giving hope to their patients. Are you Made for a nursing career at Northwell? Learn more about nursing at Northwell Health.

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Embracing diversity and inclusion to drive effective change

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A team’s commitment to compassion strengthened through adversity

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Meet the teams of Northwell’s 2020 Chefs Challenge

Their Menu:

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

What makes Huntington Hospital the team to beat in the 2020 Chefs Challenge?

Their Menu:

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

What makes Northern Westchester Hospital the team to beat in the 2020 Chefs Challenge?

Their Menu:

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

Why is your team convinced they’ll win this year?

Their Menu:

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

What makes Phelps Hospital the team to beat in the 2020 Chefs Challenge?

Their Menu:

What’s the most exciting thing your team has done in culinary in the past year?

What makes Southside Hospital the team to beat in the 2020 Chefs Challenge?

Check back in early August to see the results!

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CNO Corner – A conversation with Margaret Duffy

What makes working as a nurse in a pediatric hospital unique?

How have the CCMC nurses delivered exceptional and compassionate care during the COVID-19 outbreak?

What exciting nursing initiatives are planned for 2020/2021 at CCMC?

How will the opening of the pediatric operating rooms impact the hospital and future career opportunities for CCMC nurses?

How does CCMC support team growth and development?

What makes Northwell a great place to work?

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Meet Truly Compassionate Nurse Practitioner, Benzy Thomas

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Growing a career as a leader at Northwell Health

Growing at Northwell Health

Nurturing the talent of tomorrow

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